Case study - raised thresholds, Darebin City Council

The City of Darebin now installs raised threshold treatments at all local/arterial road intersections when road resurfacing occurs.

Raised thresholds do not change who has the right of way at an intersection (unless combined with a marked crossing - see the Port Phillip City Council case study). Some argue that this raises confusion and could lull the pedestrian into a false sense of security. Victoria Walks argues that this possible disadvantage is more than made up for by the psychological message to drivers, who are required to give way to pedestrians in any case (if turning across the raised threshold).

The raised threshold does not change who has the right of way, but it does highlight the path of pedestrian movement and slow vehicle traffic at these intersections.